Saturday, 02 February 2013

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere or Man United's Tom Cleverley: Who is the better player?

The
future of the England midfield looks hopeful because of two talented
young midfielders playing for two of the biggest clubs in Europe, Jack Wilshere and Tom
Cleverley.

Cleverley has been brought up through the academy at Old Trafford and moulded into a typical Manchester United midfielder.

During the
beginning of the 2011/12 season, Tom partnered Anderson in midfield
during a dominant start to the season.

Playing in a slightly advanced
midfield role, Cleverley sparked a second half comeback to help United
win the Community Shield against Manchester City and played his part in
an unbelievable demolition of Arsenal. Unfortunately, a badly timed
tackle from Bolton's Kevin Davies sidelined the midfielder and Cleverley
could never sustain a decent run of full fitness until the summer.

In
deeper positions, Tom has great energy, both defensively - helped by
his time as left-back in his youth, and in beginning attacks from deep.

In more attacking positions, Cleverley has two-feet, a quick mind, the
ability tospot a through ball, make a good run and a decent shooting
technique - check out his goal against Sunderland struck first time.

At the end of
the day, Tom Cleverley is a fantastic midfielder and a great fit for
Manchester United and their style of play. His flexibility to play
anywhere in the midfield and still unfulfilled potential make him an
exciting prospect for the present and future for both club and country.

Although
they share similarities, Jack Wilshere is a different type of
midfielder playing in a different system at the Emirates. Brought up to
play Arsene Wenger's famous style of possession football, Wilshere
shows great composure for a young player and moves well both on and off
the ball. Although he's two years younger than Cleverley, Jack has been
playing at a higher level for longer than Tom; another benefit of
playing under Wenger.

Similar to Cleverley, Jack has a quick mind and
passes well in small spaces. Wilshere started out as a more attacking
midfielder but has been playing more centrally and performing very well.

Looking
at their younger years, Tom Cleverley developed more in the lower
leagues, while at the same time Jack Wilshere developed at the highest
level. Having said that, Tom contributed to Leicester City's promotion
from League One, received a Player of the Season award during his time
at Watford and helped to save Wigan Athletic from relegation. He's had
to work much harder and move more obstacles to reach the first team
where the same path at Arsenal seems a lot clearer.

But from being
thrown straight into the deep end, Wilshere has learned more quickly
what it is to play at the highest level - though some will say this
caused his 14 month injury hell.

Some
will also look at Wilshere's injury as a way to put the player down,
but Tom Cleverley's seven-month injury with the under-18 team, shoulder
injury at Leicester City, knee ligament injury at Watford and his ankle
problems last season just show that young players, with their
still-developing bodies, are injury prone and more vulnerable to
burn-out.

As
things stand, I give Jack Wilshere the edge. His determination in
defence, his vision, his ball control and greater experience at the
highest level put him slightly above Cleverley. Personally, I'd love to
see Jack coming up to Manchester and running the show alongside
Cleverley at the Theatre of Dreams.

Although
Wilshere may be the better player now. I believe Cleverley has a lot
more to offer. Once he adds more consistency to his passing, his
decision-making and contributes more goals, I can see Tom overtaking
Jack - especially if you look at the players around him. You can
certainly predict more silverware coming his way. Which means more title
run-ins, cup finals and European matches for Cleverley.

Once Carrick
and Scholes move on, it'll be up to Tom to lead the United midfield,
possibly alongside Nick Powell. When that time comes, I imagine Tom
Cleverley will be the better and more decorated player - especially if
Arsenal do fail to qualify for the Champions League this year.

But at this current time, I have to say Jack Wilshere is the better player, but Tom Cleverley is hot on his heels.

When it comes
to the national team, both players will give England a strong midfield.
But looking around the world you have Thiago Alcantara in Spain, Mario
Goetze in Germany, Belgium's Eden Hazard and, of course, Neymar in
Brazil. So I can't say much for the future of the England national team.
But for the future of world football, it's very easy to get excited
with so many great young footballers already playing at the top level.

Calling all football fans: Who do you think is the better player? Who will go on to have the most successful career? Do you think Roy Hodgson can accommodate both of them in his starting XI? Whatever your view, we'd love to hear from you.

We also have a community on Google+. Come and join us at Squarefootball and get involved!

Comments

Arsenal's Jack Wilshere or Man United's Tom Cleverley: Who is the better player?

The
future of the England midfield looks hopeful because of two talented
young midfielders playing for two of the biggest clubs in Europe, Jack Wilshere and Tom
Cleverley.

Cleverley has been brought up through the academy at Old Trafford and moulded into a typical Manchester United midfielder.

During the
beginning of the 2011/12 season, Tom partnered Anderson in midfield
during a dominant start to the season.

Playing in a slightly advanced
midfield role, Cleverley sparked a second half comeback to help United
win the Community Shield against Manchester City and played his part in
an unbelievable demolition of Arsenal. Unfortunately, a badly timed
tackle from Bolton's Kevin Davies sidelined the midfielder and Cleverley
could never sustain a decent run of full fitness until the summer.

In
deeper positions, Tom has great energy, both defensively - helped by
his time as left-back in his youth, and in beginning attacks from deep.

In more attacking positions, Cleverley has two-feet, a quick mind, the
ability tospot a through ball, make a good run and a decent shooting
technique - check out his goal against Sunderland struck first time.

At the end of
the day, Tom Cleverley is a fantastic midfielder and a great fit for
Manchester United and their style of play. His flexibility to play
anywhere in the midfield and still unfulfilled potential make him an
exciting prospect for the present and future for both club and country.

Although
they share similarities, Jack Wilshere is a different type of
midfielder playing in a different system at the Emirates. Brought up to
play Arsene Wenger's famous style of possession football, Wilshere
shows great composure for a young player and moves well both on and off
the ball. Although he's two years younger than Cleverley, Jack has been
playing at a higher level for longer than Tom; another benefit of
playing under Wenger.

Similar to Cleverley, Jack has a quick mind and
passes well in small spaces. Wilshere started out as a more attacking
midfielder but has been playing more centrally and performing very well.

Looking
at their younger years, Tom Cleverley developed more in the lower
leagues, while at the same time Jack Wilshere developed at the highest
level. Having said that, Tom contributed to Leicester City's promotion
from League One, received a Player of the Season award during his time
at Watford and helped to save Wigan Athletic from relegation. He's had
to work much harder and move more obstacles to reach the first team
where the same path at Arsenal seems a lot clearer.

But from being
thrown straight into the deep end, Wilshere has learned more quickly
what it is to play at the highest level - though some will say this
caused his 14 month injury hell.

Some
will also look at Wilshere's injury as a way to put the player down,
but Tom Cleverley's seven-month injury with the under-18 team, shoulder
injury at Leicester City, knee ligament injury at Watford and his ankle
problems last season just show that young players, with their
still-developing bodies, are injury prone and more vulnerable to
burn-out.

As
things stand, I give Jack Wilshere the edge. His determination in
defence, his vision, his ball control and greater experience at the
highest level put him slightly above Cleverley. Personally, I'd love to
see Jack coming up to Manchester and running the show alongside
Cleverley at the Theatre of Dreams.

Although
Wilshere may be the better player now. I believe Cleverley has a lot
more to offer. Once he adds more consistency to his passing, his
decision-making and contributes more goals, I can see Tom overtaking
Jack - especially if you look at the players around him. You can
certainly predict more silverware coming his way. Which means more title
run-ins, cup finals and European matches for Cleverley.

Once Carrick
and Scholes move on, it'll be up to Tom to lead the United midfield,
possibly alongside Nick Powell. When that time comes, I imagine Tom
Cleverley will be the better and more decorated player - especially if
Arsenal do fail to qualify for the Champions League this year.

But at this current time, I have to say Jack Wilshere is the better player, but Tom Cleverley is hot on his heels.

When it comes
to the national team, both players will give England a strong midfield.
But looking around the world you have Thiago Alcantara in Spain, Mario
Goetze in Germany, Belgium's Eden Hazard and, of course, Neymar in
Brazil. So I can't say much for the future of the England national team.
But for the future of world football, it's very easy to get excited
with so many great young footballers already playing at the top level.

Calling all football fans: Who do you think is the better player? Who will go on to have the most successful career? Do you think Roy Hodgson can accommodate both of them in his starting XI? Whatever your view, we'd love to hear from you.

We also have a community on Google+. Come and join us at Squarefootball and get involved!